Limit theory for planar Gilbert tessellations

A Gilbert tessellation arises by letting linear segments (cracks) in the plane unfold in time with constant speed, starting from a homogeneous Poisson point process of germs in randomly chosen directions. Whenever a growing edge hits an already existing one, it stops growing in this direction. The resulting process tessellates the plane. The purpose of the present paper is to establish law of large numbers, variance asymptotics and a central limit theorem for geometric functionals of such tessellations. The main tool applied is the stabilization theory for geometric functionals.Comment: 12 page

Debating whether Dinosaurs Should be "Cloned" from Ancient DNA to Promote Cooperative Learning in an Introductory Evolution Course

This interactive internet exercise engages students in cooperative library and web research on a controversial topic in science (and ethics), specifically the cloning of extinct forms of life. To debate the many complex issues embedded in this topic, students have to apply knowledge acquired from a variety of sources about dinosaurs, their evolutionary history, diversity, distribution, physiology, behavior, environmental requirements, and extinction. They must achieve a general understanding of the techniques used to discover and retrieve ancient DNA and to produce a clone from a living adult animal. During an in-class "trial," two teams of students representing six types of specialists argue cases for and against dinosaur cloning. Student "judges" hear testimony, pose questions to the specialists, and render their verdict about whether dinosaur cloning should be allowed. Working cooperatively in small groups and arguing a position in an authoritative fashion requires students to exercise their communication (written and oral), collaborative, and critical thinking skills. This exercise creates a dynamic learning environment in a moderately large introductory geology course and demonstrates the importance of scientific literacy in the contemporary experience. Educational levels: Graduate or professional

Exploring the Role of Employee Age in Improving ICT Adoption Projects: Lessons Learned from Enterprise System Practitioners

This study aims to investigate the role of employees’ age in improving ICT adoption projects. In doing so, the current study draws from the opinions of enterprise systems (ES) practitioners collected during an exploratory research in Poland. The discovered recommendations for improving ES adoptions have been categorized into a two-level taxonomy and then analyzed from the respondent age perspective. The main findings suggest that the strong points of older workers involve their people-oriented approach to various issues connected with system, training, provider, and project preparation. However, on the other hand, the elderly need training on modern management techniques and ICT, which would reduce differences in their perception of the implementation process- and system-related areas as compared to younger workers. The awareness of strong and weak points of the elderly in the context of their experience with ES and eliminating shortcomings should contribute to their greater digital inclusion

Defining Seniors’ Value-based Objectives for ICT-supported Governmental Elderly Care Services: Preliminary Lessons from Poland and Sweden

ICT-supported governmental elderly care services are often introduced in an ad-hoc, technology-driven manner, which results in a low level of acceptance by seniors. The current paper aims to address this shortcoming by applying a Value-focused thinking (VFT) approach to investigate value-based objectives of older adults. The presented solution is based on the interviews with seniors (65-85) in Poland and Sweden, two countries with very diverse approaches to governmental elderly care services. The designed research approach includes the analysis of the data gathered following the VFT approach, comparison of findings across the two countries, definition of fundamental and means objectives of seniors, and formulation of recommendations regarding strategies for the implementation of governmental elderly care services. The preliminary findings suggest that using VFT is promising in the identification of value-based objectives that can be included in policies guiding ICT-supported elderly care services

Understanding Drivers for Acceptance and Use of Digital Care Services for Seniors: Learning from a Value-Focused Thinking Study in Poland and Sweden

In order to maximize sustainability of digital services for seniors, the opinions of the main stakeholders and the broader context of independent and healthy ageing should be taken into consideration. Therefore, we applied a Value-focused thinking (VFT) approach to understand values held by seniors in the context of implementation of ICT for independent and healthy ageing. To this end, we conducted interviews with seniors in Poland and Sweden, which are countries with very diverse approaches to digital care services (DCS). Based on the interviews with seniors, we discovered 7 common fundamental objectives and 11 means objectives supporting the fundamental goals with varying understanding depending on a country, which allowed us to discuss the drivers for acceptance and use of DCS for seniors

INTERGENERATIONAL TENSIONS IN ICT ADOPTION FOR INDEPENDENT AND HEALTHY AGEING: PRELIMINARY INSIGHTS FROM A VALUE-FOCUSED THINKING STUDY IN POLAND AND SWEDEN

Current literature highlights the importance of understanding intergenerational tensions that arise in the context of implementation of ICT for independent and healthy ageing. The current study aims to explore tensions between value-based objectives emphasized by seniors and younger adults in the context of ICT for independent and healthy ageing in Poland and Sweden. Value-based objectives were identified by applying the value-focused thinking approach. By comparing the identified objectives between young adults and seniors, we found several significant tensions, both in Poland and Sweden. In particular, we found that young adults might perceive seniors as a fragile and passive group, which clashes with how seniors perceive themselves. The analysis also revealed several areas of agreement, e.g. with Polish young and senior respondents unanimously emphasizing improvement of seniors’ health condition and ICT usefulness for families, and Swedes agreeing upon the importance of seniors’ autonomy, social contact, and equal access to digital solutions

The Meat You Haven\u27t Met, Pt. 6

This thesis contends that architecture can be a tool for exposing the social, environmental, economic, and political problems caused by industrial beef production and excessive cultural consumption of beef in order to promote meaningful change. A narrative is established in which a fictitious beef corporation seeks the expertise of an architect to design a Transparency Tour as part of a green washing campaign. However, while the intent of the corporation is to mislead consumers to gain loyalty, the architect seizes the opportunity to infiltrate the system and expose realities that would have remained hidden. Subversive design interventions within three stops along the tour deliberately juxtapose production and consumption experiences: the cow/calf operation and steakhouse, the feedlot and fast-food restaurant, and the packing plant and grocery store. The challenge is to deceive the deceiver with unavoidable, slit-like moments along a pre-determined sequence that explicitly force tour people to confront the realities of a complicated, messy network that aren’t so easy to digest